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How to Lighten a Dark House

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Some houses are dark inside because of their structural features, surroundings, or interior design.

However, good lighting is both easy to implement and highly effective.

We’ve explained how to lighten a dark house, and answered other questions, below.

What makes a house dark?

Houses can have different light levels inside for several reasons.

It could be because of their design. Some buildings simply have fewer or smaller windows than others (especially older ones).

Position plays a part, too. North-facing homes get more light overall. (However, this doesn’t help much if you spend most of your time at the front of the house!)

Surrounding structures also have an impact. In cities and big towns this is often other buildings. In the countryside, it can be trees, valleys or (for a few parts of the UK) even mountains.

Ways to lighten a dark house

1. Put in more windows

Windows are the most important part of lighting a dark house.

However, they are also the most expensive solution.

There are three main things to consider about windows:

  • Their number
  • Their size
  • Their type.

Which consideration(/s) is most relevant to you depends on your property and budget.

(If you live in a listed building, all changes are difficult. You must talk to your local council about the rules for this.)

And even if your house has lots of windows, the light can’t get through when they’re dirty.

Cleaning your windows will ensure that grime and dirt doesn’t make your interior darker than it needs to be. 

2. Brighten the wall colours

Wall colours impact the overall aesthetic of your property. You will notice the room brighten when you choose lighter colours.

On the other hand, darker colours absorb the light, and thus keep it gloomy.

Repainting the walls can have more of an affect than you think.

3. Remove clutter

Clutter and mess can hinder any room’s appearance. They also stop light from reaching every corner of the room.

This is most noticeable when items and objects are at all heights, especially when it’s blocking the windows.

Tidying this up will often brighten your house.

Although each item may seem insignificant, the overall impact can be remarkable after a full day of putting things away.

4. Brighten flooring 

Your flooring has a similar effect to your wall colours. Darker flooring (especially carpet) will absorb light and thus make the room darker.

But if you’ve got brighter flooring, it reflects light around the room.

Switching the colour you walk on can make a big difference. If changing the entire surface isn’t possible, think about using a rug.

5. Put in more lighting

This suggestion seems like a no-brainer, but many people forget to do it!

Lamps are extremely useful at brightening corners of your room that no one goes into.

Even if this doesn’t function well, the overall effect is excellent.

Overhead lighting is also a good idea because it spreads throughout the area. Just make sure these lightbulbs are strong and well-positioned.

Why do people prefer a brighter house?

A bright house is always popular amongst potential buyers. It’s thus in your interest to try to make this happen.

The most common reasons people like this are as follows.

Health and safety

A bright house has practical advantages. You’re less likely to fall over and trip.

This is especially important for older residents or those with young children. 

Aesthetically pleasing

You can see your property’s amazing features when it’s well-lit.

Artwork will be in plain view, and lighter colours generally put people in a happier mood.

Sunlight will reflect around your home creating a lovely ambience. This is popular amongst the vast majority of people.

Less likely to get damp and mould

Sunlight has practical advantages for your home.

It can stop damp from building up, which otherwise creates a bad smell and decreases your house value.

Sunlight is also shown to have excellent mental health benefits.

Lower energy costs

You don’t need to use as much electricity when you have a well-lit home. The natural lighting from the windows keeps your property bright during the day.

The sunlight can also warm up your house, so your energy bills are lower too. 

Does a brighter house sell for more?

In many cases, yes, but it depends on your buyer’s preferences.

Brighter houses have some practical advantages. A lower likelihood of damp is beneficial.

And more sunlight means that electricity and heating costs will be lower during the day. These are pros that should be focused upon when trying to sell.

However, some people prefer a ‘gothic’ interior, and darker wallpaper can thus be seen as appealing.

As long as it doesn’t get in the way of practicality, it can become a stylistic issue, depending on each person’s preference.

Will I be able to sell a house if it’s dark?

Yes, you can sell a house if it’s dark, but it’s much harder to do so. Many buyers won’t like it and will reduce their asking price.

It can also make your photos look worse when marketing them online, which may reduce your viewings.

Speak to your estate agent about how to stage the home in the best way possible.

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